System and apparatus for facsimile telegraphy



Fe. 12, 1946. R. a'. wlsE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Original Filed April 4, 1942 4 Sheets-Shee't 1 ATTORN E Y Feb. 12, 1946. R, J, WISE A 2,394,517

SYSTEM A'ND `APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Original Filed April 4, 1942 4 Sheets-Shee't 2 MESSAGE L\ NE DEPOSlT BEING MESSAGE REWRITE BUSY MESSAGE TRANSMITTED ACCEPTED MESSAGE 22h 22C 22d 22e zoLf.

MESSAGE SHEET Feb. 12, 1946. R. J. WISE 2,394,577

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE v'WJJEGRAPHY Original Filed April 4, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 .Oi N37/ INVENTR RJ. WISE RELAY BY?,R 2 2 ATTORNEY DRUM cHANGl CYCLING CAM Feb.12,1946. Rlwlsa 2,394,577V

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Original Filed April 4, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lo)l ATTORN EY Patented Feb. 12, 1946 SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FACSIMILE TELEGRAPHY Raleigh J .y Wise, Dunellen, N. J., assigner to The Western Union Telegraph Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original application April 4, 1942, Serial No. 437,719. Divided and this application June 3, 1943, Serial No. 489,440

Claims.

The present invention relates primarily to facsimile telegraph systems and apparatus and particularly to mechanisms and the control thereof for supplying such facsimile apparatus with and the removal therefrom of message sheets and recording blanks.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 437,719, led April 4, 1942, System and apparatus for facsimile telegraphy.

While the principles of the present invention are particularly adaptable for use in conjunction with a combined facsimile transmitter-recorder of the rotating cylinder-type, such as for example that disclosed in Patent No. 2,255,868, granted November 1l, 1941, to R. J. Wise et al., and is described in a facsimile system employing such a machine and other rotating cylinder type facsimile machines, it will be evident that the principles of the invention are not limited in application to only these facsimile. machines and the system described, but may be applied to various other types of machines and systems.

The transmitter-recorder facsimile machine disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent No. 2,255,868 includes a rotatable drum, and when the machine is used in a receiving capacity a recording blank is wrapped around the drum so that the subject matter received is reproduced on the recording blank by the usual means of a stylus which explores successive areas on the recording blank and marks the same in accordance with signals received. When the machine is employed as a transmitter, the message sheet is wrapped around the cylinder and successive areas of the sheet explored by a photoelectric pickup system and corresponding signals transmitted to a line circuit. y

In accordance with the above, one of the primary objects of this invention is to provide selectively controlled means whereby the rotatable cylinder or cylinders of a facsimile machine for example may be supplied with either a message blank or sheet in the conditioning of the machine for the transmission of a message or with a recording blank in order to condition the machine for the recording of a message,

Another object of the invention is to provide for the selective distribution of message sheets and/or recording blanks removed from the rotating cylinder of a cylinder type of facsimile transmitting machine, receiving machine, or combined transmitting and receiving machine.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art as the following description of the apparatus proceeds tive of the copyholder cylinder of the machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram showing a circuit arrangement for controlling and operating the combined machine of the present invention; k

Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram showing the central office equipment for controlling and operating a number of machines embodying features of this invention;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View similar to Fig. l of a modied machine; and f Fig. 6 shows a modification of Figs. 3 and 4.

In the present invention the novel facsimile transmitter-recorder disclosed herein is connected by a communication circuit to a communication center equipped with a transmitter, a message recorder, and a monitor recorder. kThese three pieces of central office equipment are arranged to be connected to any incoming communication circuit having one or more of the automatic facsimile transmitter-recorders of this invention connected thereto. The central oliice transmitter and message recorder may be combined into one automatic machine which is of the drum changing type similar to that described in the said Patent N o. 2,255,868, and the monitor recorder may be of the type disclosed in Fig. 4 of the drawings of Patent No. 2,255,869, granted to G. H. Ridings et al. September 16, 1941. To simplify operation of the system, the monitor recorder may be mechanically driven from the central office transmitter whether or not the latter is combined with the central office message recorder.

The combined transmitter-recorder disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2 may include structural refinements shown and claimed in Patent No. 2,262,715, granted to R, J. Wise et al. on November 11, 1941, for System and apparatus for automatic facsimile telegraphy, and also in the application of R. J. Wise et al., Serial No. 389,164, flled April 18, 1941, for System and apparatus for facsimile telegraphy. y

The combined transmitter-recorder I0 is housed in a box Il which may be placed in any location accessible to a person authorized to collect and distribute received messages or to a member of the general public having a message for transmission. The box ll is provided with a bin I2 for receiving message sheets ejected from a copyholding cylinder I4 upon operation of a stripping ringer I9. The bin i?. is accessible through an opening I7 in front of the box, which may be provided with a locked closure I8 if desired. The key for this closure may also operate a lock switch used in place or" a push button switch I9, provided for use by a person to start the transmitter-recorder when a message is to be transmitted to the communication center.

A series of ve signs 2I provided with illuminating lamps 22a to 22e are located in the front panel 23 of the box I I The lamps are controlled from the central omce to illuminate the signs at appropriate times when the machine is used as a transmitter in a manner to be described.

The message sheet receiving slot 24 is provided for the insertion of message sheets bearing subject matter to be transmitted when the machine is to be used as a transmitter. The slot 24 communicates with a chute 28, which may be formed as shown between the inwardly directed upper part 2l of the panel 23 and the horizontal portion of an angularly bent cover plate 28 which protects the paper feeding mechanism.

These externally accessible portions of the equipment are all that need be manipulated and observed in operating the machine as a transmitter. The recording functions of the machine are controlled solely from the central oflice and access thereto is not needed except for purposes of adjustment, when required.

The upper portion of the box II houses the feeding mechanism for successively delivering individual recording blanks to the copyholding cylinder I4. As illustrated, the paper feed includes a roll 3l of individual blanks 32 supported, preierably in overlapping relationship, as shown in the copending application, Serial No. 389,164, above referred to, on an elongated belt 33 of any suitable material, the end of the belt being secured to a mandrel 34. The belts and the blanks supported thereby are rolled together around the mandrel to form the blank supply roll 3 I.

The opposite ends of the mandrel may be conveniently supported in notches 36 in a pair of reel supporting bracket arms 3T mounted on the upper front panel 38 of the box II. The belt 33 passes downwardly around the lower edge of the panel 38 and thence to a belt takeup reel 39 which is in driving engagement with a motor (not shown) contained within the housing 4I. Unwinding of the belt 33 and the blanks 32 releases them one at a time, permitting each blank to drop onto the copyholding cylinder I4, provided with teeth 42 as disclosed and claimed in Patent No. 2,262,715, referred to above. A hinged cover 44 gives direct access to the reel 3I, and a side panel or cover plate 48 may be removed to facilitate removal of the belt 33 after it has been wound on the mandrel 39. It will be understood that the structural elements and indicating devices disclosed in the application Serial No. 389,164 above referred to may be associated with the paper supply reel 3 I.

The copyholding cylinder I4 is mounted on a shaft 41 supported in suitable bearings and driven from a motor 48, indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 3 of the drawings, which also drives a lead screw 49 in a well-known manner.

A peripheral groove I formed in the cylinder and receives a inger 52 secured to a rock shaft 53 rotatably mounted at each end in any suitable manner in the frame of the machine I0. The rod 53 carries a switch arm 54 which cooperates with a pair ci contacts 56 and 51. A spring 58 normally presses the finger 52 into the groove 5I. Obviously, when a message sheet of any kind is in position on the cylinder I4, the ringer 52 is held out of the slot, thus raising the switch arm 54 into the position shown, aiiording a convenient means for controlling the locking magnet 59 of the chute 28 and the tape reel motor which is operatively connected to the mandrel 39.

A presser roller BI is rotatably mounted on a stem 62 projecting outwardly from a bracket arm 63 pivoted at 84 to a stationary portion 65 of the machine frame. A spring 61 resiliently urges the roller 8| into engagement with the periphery of the cylinder I4. The roller BI is grooved at 69 to accommodate the teeth 42. The roller 8| in conjunction with the teeth 42 serves to draw either a recording blank 32 or a message sheet bearing subject matter for transmission onto the copyholding cylinder I4.

A scanner carriage 10, housing and supporting the optical transmitter scanning device 'II including a chopper motor 12 (Fig. 3), the recording stylus I3 and the stylus operating magnet 14, is supported for scanning movement longitudinally of the cylinder I4 on a rod 15 by a beveled roller 11 mounted in brackets 'I8 on the bottom of the box. An inverted U-shaped bracket I9 in the upper portion of the box slidably embraces a guide rod 8|. The stylus 'I3 is carried on a pivoted arm 83, the projecting end B4 of which is the armature of the stylus magnet T4.

A half-nut 86 is located beneath the scanning box for vertical movement into and out of engagement with the feed screw 49. This range of vertical movement is provided by securing the half-nut 88 to a pivoted arm 38, one end of which serves as an armature for the half-nut magnet 89. A spring 9| serves to maintain the half-nut out of engagement with the lead screw until the magnet 89 is energized. A pair of contacts 92 are brought into circuit-closing engagement when the half-nut magnet 89 is energized. Scanning movement of the carriage 10 also occurs when the half-nut magnet 89 is energized.

I'he circumference of the recording cylinder I4 is preferably such that, when a blank 32 is wrapped around the cylinder for scanning, its edges overlap slightly to provide a smoother path for the recording stylus and to prevent its contacting the drum. In order to facilitate stripping the blank from the drum after scanning, each blank is preferably notched in one corner, as at 90, in Fig. 2, in such a way that, when the blank is on the cylinder, the notch provides an open space between the edges at one end. This space permits the stripping finger I6 to be inserted through the open space and under a blank for the purpose of stripping it from the cylinder. If desired, the message sheets to be inscribed with subject matter for transmission may be shorter than the circumference of the cylinder I4, providing a space between their edges when in position to facilitate operation of the stripper finger I6. The portion of the light reflective drum which is exposed between the edges of the sheet in either case may be used in conjunction with the optical scanner II to derive a framing signal. Also, a contact arm may bear on the cylinder and make contact with the exposed cylinder for the purpose of providing a framing signal. The stripper nger I 6 is adjustably secured to a rock shaft 93 by a set screw 94. The rock shaft 93, journaled in any suitable manner in the frame of the machine ID, carries the armature 96 of a stripper magnet 91. A return spring 98 maintains the stripper finger out of engagement with the cylinder I4 until the magnet 91 is energized.

In operation of the mechanical features thus far described and assuming that the machine is to be used as a recorder, the motor associated with the blank feeding mandrel 39 is energized over a circuit to be described in connection with Fig. 3 of the drawings, or over any desired circuit which includes the contact 56 and the switch arm 54. A blank 32 will be released and wrapped around the cylinder I4, whereupon the circuit ycontrolling the motor will be interrupted. During the scanning operation, the feed screw 49 is rotated from the motor through the feed screw driving gears to produce the necessary scanning movement of the scanning carriage 10 and the stylus 13 longitudinally of the rotating cylinder. When scanning is completed, or at any desired time, the half-nut 86 is disengaged from the carriage feed screw, permitting the carriage to be returned to its starting position by a strand or cord under tension secured to the carriage, as shown in Patent No. 2,262,715. Upon completion of a scanning operation, the magnet 91 may be energized, causing the stripper finger to strip the message sheet from the cylinder so that it drops into the bin I2.

When the machine is to be operated as a transmitter, the lock switch or push-button I9 is operated, following which the chute lock magnet 59 is energized in any desired manner, either locally at the machine or from a remote point with which communication is desired. The armature of the magnet 59 is connected by a link I0| to a bell crank |02 which carries a bar I3 normally obstructing entrance to the chute 26. Insertion of the message sheet in the proper manner may be insured by beveling one corner of the blank for cooperation with an arrangement such as is disclosed in Patent No. 2,262,715, referred to above. When the sheet in position on the cylinder I4 bears subject matter for transmission, the optical scanning device 12 will be in operation with the stylus 13 retracted.

The transmitting and recording equipment |04 installed at a central office for interconnection with one or more of the machines I is shown di- -agrammatically in Fig. 4 of the drawings. A suitable machine of the automatic drum changing type combining transmitting and recording yfunctions is shown in complete detail in Patent No. 2,255,868, referred to above. Separate amplifiers |06 and I 01 are provided for the transmitting and recording functions, respectively. of the machine |04. A signal inverter |08 feeds the recording stylus |09. The monitor recorder as stated above, is disclosed in Fig. 4 of Patent No. 2,255,869. An amplified ||2 feeds the recording styli II4 of the monitor recorder. It will be understood that any type of facsimile equipment may be employed at the central office. However, the arrangement of apparatus to be described is quite convenient and represents a desirable embodiment of the .system of this invention. The combined transmitter-recorder |04 is driven through a gear mechanism I I by a motor I I6 which operates in,

synchronism with the motor 48 of the machine or machines I0 and drives a power shaft I I 1 through a constantly engaged friction clutch I I8. The shaft I I1 drives the transmitter-recorder |04 through any suitable means, such as the gear and pinion combination I I9 and I 2 I, diagrammatically shown. The stylus moving mechanism |22 and the paper feed mechanism 23 of the monitor recorder are also driven from the shaft ||1, for example, by a worm and worm wheel combination |24 and |26, also represented diagrammatically in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The shaft I|1 is locked against rotation by a tooth or pawl |21 on an armature |218 pivoted at |29 which engages a notch |3| formed in a disc |32 which is secured to the shaft. A spring |33 serves to Withdraw the tooth |21 from the notch I3| upon deenergization of a phasing or framing magnet |34. The gear ratios of the worm and worm l"wheel combination I 24 and I 26 are selected so that a copy-holding drum |35 of the transmitterrecorder |04 rotates once while a recording stylus 4 of the monitor recorder traverses its recording strip |36. This arrangement is employed, as it simplifies phasing or framing of subject matter transmitted from one of the machines I0. The blanks upon which incoming messages are to be recorded and the message sheets bearing sublect matter for transmission to the machine I0 are mounted on the copyholding drums |35 which are inserted in the transmitter-recorder apparatus |04 one at a time, as shown and explained in Patent No. 2,255,868. The recording drum in operative position is rotated by power supplied from the shaft I1 and during rotation the marking stylus |09 or a light spot from an optical transmitting scanner |31 scans the message sheet in a direction parallel to the axis of the copyholding drum. Mechanism similar to that disclosed in the patent is provided for removing a copyholder drum with its attached message sheet after a scanning operation.

The transmitting and recording ampliers |06 and |01 and the monitor amplifier |I2 are connected to the contact studs of the fifth and sixth levels of a rotary switch |38 made up of eight levels. Each level is provided with twenty-one contact studs and a movable contact arm. The eight contact arms are designated I 39a to 39h and are moved simultaneously. Each is provided with a bridging wiper I4| whereby connection is made with each of the studs before the connection with the preceding stud is broken. The contact arms |39a to |3971l of the switch |38 normally remain in the neutral position (Fig. 4) when the system is idle and are moved in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 4, from the neutral position over thirteen studs when a message is to be transmitted to a machine I0, and in the opposite direction from the neutral position over eight studs when the central station attendant is responding to a call from one of the machines I0 and is taking the steps necessary to record an incoming message.

The communication circuit connecting a single machine or a plurality of machines I0 and the central offlce is shown as a line L comprising a pair of conductors LI and L2, which are used simultaneously for the transmission of the alternating current facsimile signals or message impulses and the direct current control signals by which selection and operation of a machine I0 is obtained.

When a machine I0 is in use as a transmitter, the facsimile signals originate at the optical scanning device 1| including a light source'1I which is connected to an amplifier |42, as shown in Fig. 3, the output circuit of which is connected to a pair of contacts |43 of a. relay |44. When the machine |0i-s in use as a recorder, the incoming facsimile signals are applied to a receiving ampliiier |46 and to the stylus 13 by way of make contacts |41 of the relay |44. The tongues of the relay which cooperate with the contacts |43 and |41 are connected through a pair of blocking condensers |48 to the line conductors LI and L2. The purpose of the blocking condensers is to isolate the alternating current facsimile signals from the direct current control signals. The polarity of the direct current potentials which are applied to the conductor LI is controlled by the apparatus at the central cnice for the purpose of operating a polar relay |49 connected to this conductor at the machine I0. Similarly, the polarity of the direct current potential applied to the conductor L2 is controlled by the apparatus at the central oiice for the purpose of operating a polar relay connected to this conductor at the machine |0. Each of these polar relays is of the three-position type, whereby the tongue is moved to one extreme contact in response to the polarity of potential, to the other extreme contact in response to the opposite polarity of potential, and to a mid position disengaged from both of the extreme contacts in response to a no-current condition. The tongue |52 of the relay |49 cooperates with contacts M and S. The tongue |53 of the relay |5| cooperates with the contacts M and S.

It should be understood that a number of machines ID, as stated above, will normally be connected to a single communication circuit in a party line system, and that each machine l0 is adapted to be locked against operation when any other machine on the same line is operating, as will be described hereinafter, and as is fully set forth in Patent No. 2,262,715.

The operation of the complete system will be described in connection with Figs. 3 and 4 taken together. It is assumed that power is supplied at the machine I0 by connecting a suitable source of alternating current |55 through a switch |56 to the bus bars A and B. The switch |56 is kept closed to maintain the heaters of the amplifiers |42 and |49 fed from the transformer |51 in condition for immediate operation. The motors 48 and 12, the plate supply for the ampliiiers and the light source or other active element of the optical scanner are controlled from the central cnice following operation of the push button I9 or selection of the machine by the central office.

Operation of the system to select and communicate with a particular machine i0 will rst be described. The attendant at the central office inserts the copyholding drum bearing the message to be transmitted in position in the transmitterrecorder' |04 by operating a key |6| (Fig. 4) This corresponds to the key 221 disclosed in Fig. 3 of Patent No. 2,255,868 and operates the drum changing relay |62. The drum changing relay |62 is also controlled by the contact arm |39h of the rotary switch |39. A plug |83 is inserted in the line jack |54 of the line L to which the desired machine i0 is connected. This connects the line conductors L| and L2 through a pair of blocking condensers |66 and through a power level adjustment pad |61 to the movable arms |3911 and |390 of the rotary switch and disconnects the line amplier |68 and its associated equipment, which is not needed at this time, from the line L. The line conductors LI and L2 are also connected through a pair of inductances or choke coils |69 to the control signaling apparatus comprising the contact arms |391) and I 39a of the rotary switch.

The contact arm |3912, in its neutral position, rests on a contact stud to which the positive pole oi a suitable source of direct current signaling potential is connected. Referring to Fig. 3, it will be noted that line LI controls operation of the three-position relay |49 and, when a positive potential is applied to this relay, its tongue |52 cooperates with the contact M to complete a circuit through the stepping magnet coils |1| of a selector switch |12. The connection to line L| at the central office includes a dialing device |13 of a well-known type which causes impulses in the nature of interruptions of a steady current to pass over the line to the stepping magnet |1|. In impulsing devices of this kind, the dial usually winds a spring which drives an interrupter consisting of a cam engaging the impulse springs. The line circuit is normally closed, and the impulse so-called is a brief interruption of the line current. These impulses or current interruptions are effective to step the switch arm |14 of the selector one point for each impulse. With the selector diagrammatically shown by way of example in Fig. 3, insertion of the plug |63 into the jack |64 at the central office will cause the switch arm |14 to move to its second contact stud. To select the machine I0 0| Fig. 3, the dial will be manipulated by dialing No. 4, which will produce four successive interruptions, stepping the switch arm to the fifth Contact stud to which the operating coil of a relay |16 is connected. The system is preferably so designed that when positive potential is removed from the line LI, it is applied to line L2 to maintain the selection of the machine by way of the make contact 92 of the switch associated with the half-nut magnet and energization of its relay |16. Stepping of the selectors of other machines connected to the line L occurs, but no selection will result, as their relays |16 will not be operated because of the presence of contacts |11.

'I'he effect oi the positive potential maintained on the line conductor LI or on the line conductor L2 is to maintain the busy signal lamp 22a illuminated in all the machines connected to the line L. The circuit of the signal lamp 22a with positive potential applied to LI may be traced from the bus bar B through the contact tongue |52 and contact M' of relay |49, the break contacts |18 of a multicontact switch |19 to bus bar A. The circuit for the signal lamp 22a with positive potential applied to L2 may be traced from the bus bar B through the make contact 92 of the switch associated with the half-nut magnet 89, the break contacts |18 of the multicontact switch |19 and the lamp 22a to the bus bar A. The push button |9 at the selected machine I9 and at the other machines connected to the line L is rendered ineffective by a break contact |8| of a relay |82 which is connected in parallel with the signal lamps 22a and 22o. When the calling plug at the central oilice is inserted in the line jack, placing a plus potential on line Ll, bus bar A is connected to one terminal of the magnet |83 through the tongue |52 and contact M of the polar relay |49, the other terminal being connected to the bus bar B whereby this magnet becomes energized to attract its armature |84. As the facsimile communication process is carried out in a manner to be described, the other terminal oi the locking magnet |83 is connected to the bus bar B through the make contact 92 of the switch associated with the half-nut magnet 89 when positive potential is connected to the line L2. The hooked portion of this armature moves beneath the armature |86 oi' the multlcontact switch |19 to lock it in the upper or ol position shown. This occurs at the other machine on the line L as well as the se lected machine I0.

The selector arm |14 is shown as being stepped by a pawl |88 which engages the teeth of a ratchet wheel |89 carried by a shaft |9| to which the switch arm |14 is secured. A pawl |92 also engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel and maintains the selected position of the arm |14 while the stepping magnet coil |1| is deenergized. A coil |90 is provided for withdrawing the pawl |92 from the teeth of the ratchet when it is energized in a manner described below. One side of this coil |90 is connected to the alternating current bus bar A, the circuit being completed under conditions described below to the bus bar B through a thermal time delay switch |94. The coil |99 of the thermal switch |94 is energized through a pair of cooperating contacts |95, the movable one of which is carried by the pivoted armature |96 of the stepping magnet |1|. With this arrangement, the magnet coil |90 is normally deenergized, even during the selecting operation, as the time of closure of the contacts |95 during a stepping pulse is insufficient to cause heating of the thermostatic bar |81 of the thermal time delay switch |94. When the selection is completed, energization of the step ping magnet |1| is maintained, which maintains the circuit through the heater element |99 by way of the contacts |95, for a suilcient period to effect closure of the contacts of the thermal switch, thus energizing magnet |90. The pawl |92 is thus retracted so that the ratchet wheel |89 is free to return to its normal position under the influence of the torsion spring 200 when the central office attendant has completed the steps to be described of transmitting a message to the machine and checking its receipt.

The relay |16, which is energized upon selecting the machine I0 by the dial |13, completes a y circuit through its make contact 20|, which circuit includes the coil of the send-receive relay |44 and the contact S of the polar relay |49. This circuit enables the central oflce attendant to control the transmitter and recorder functions of the machine l0 by reversing the polarity applied to the line LI. When the negative pole of the signaling current source is connected to the line LI, relay tongue |52 moves to the contact S', thereby energizing the relay |44 to connect the receiving ampliiier |46 to the lines LI and L2. The make contact 204 of relay |16 serves to control the connection of the amplifiers |42 and |46 across the alternating current bus bars A and B and, also, energizes a relay 205 over the conductor 206 which closes the circuit from the ampliers to the line L at its make contact 201. This relay is included for connecting the amplifiers to the line only when power is applied to the machine so that, in party line operation, only the machine in use will be bridged across the line, and the signal will not be weakened by the unnecessary connection of other machines on the line. The cylinder driving motor 48 and the light chopper motor 12 of the optical scanner 1| are also energized over the conductor 206 when the relay |16 is energized by selection of the machine.

The rotary switch |38 (Fig. 4) is moved from the neutral position counterclockwise to the rst position to obtain a positive check of the selection of the desired machine I0. Positive potential is maintained on L| by the contact arm |3917, and positive potential is connected to L2 by the arm |39a whereby the half-nut magnet 89 of the selected machine is energized to scan a distinctive mark 209 (Fig, 2') which is repeated around the periphery of the copyholding cylinder I4. In the example shown, the mark 209 takes the form of letters SX, and it will be understood that the copyholding cylinders I4 of the other machines available for selection will also be provided with distinctive marks differing from each other. The contact arms |39c and |39d of the rotary switch |38 in its first position connect the lines L| and L2 to theamplier ||2 of the monitor recorder by way of the blocking condensers |66. The marks 209, in this instance SX," will be recorded on the web or strip |36 of recording paper in the monitor recorder. The paper feed mechanism of the monitor recorder operates, since the relay 2|0 is deenergized at the contact arm |39f, and the latch |29 is withdrawn from the notch 3|, since the arm |39g opens the circuit of the locking coil 2 I4 of the relay 2 5. It will be noted that, inasmuch as the marks are repeated upon the periphery of the copyholding cylinder |4, phasing of the machine |0 with the monitor recorder is not necessary at this time, as one or more of the marks will be reproduced in their entirety. The rotary switch |38 is maintained in its rst position until the central office is satisfied that the desired machine |0 has been selected.

The rotary switch |38 is next moved to its second position to secure a message blank 32 on the copyholding cylinder of the selected machine. This is accomplished by placing a negative potential on conductor LI and maintaining the connection of the conductor L2 to the positive pole of the signal source. At the machine |0 this energizes the relay I 44, incidentally connecting the selected partys receiving amplifier |46 to the line, but it has no function at this time, The half-nut magnet 89 remains energized, causing the stylus to feed, but this action is also incidental. Energization of the relay |44 in the manner just explained completes ya circuit from the bus bar A by way of the switch arm 54 and the cooperating contact 56, a make contact 2|| of the relay |44 and a make contact 2|2 of the relay |16 to the driving motor of the message feeding device 4|. The message blank 32 is thereby applied to the copyholding cylinder I4 in accordance with the description above, which raises the 1inger 52 from its groove and breaks the circuit which was made at the contact arm 54 and contact 56, stopping the driving motor of the sheet feeding device 4 The next active step, which is the lifth position of the rotary switch, phases the selected machine I0 with the combined monitor and transmitterrecorder at the central cnice, and to do this it is necessary to apply positive potential to the conductors LI and L2. However, to insure the maintenance of communication with the selected machine l0, two transition steps of the rotary switch |38 are included. The third position reverses the polarity of conductor L| and holds conductor L2 positive to avoid losing the selected party. The fourth position opens the connection to the conductor L2 with the signaling source, thereby spacing back the scanning carriage 10 of the selected partys machine |0. If, in the fth or phasing position mentioned above, a black line on the blank 32 is used extending all the way across the blank instead of a black spot of limited area in a definite position, the back spacing step provided bythe fourthy position will not be necessary, as n the phasing signal will be generated at all points in the longitudinal travel of the carriage 10.

When the rotary switch |38 is passing over lts fourth position to its fth or phasing position noted above, a coil 2|4 of a relay 2|6 is energized at this time by way of contact arm |39g and thereby energizes a relay 2 by applying ground at a make contact 2|8. In the fifth position of the rotary switch, the circuit of the coil 2|4 is opened; however, the relay 2 |4 stays up, since its coil 225 is energized from ground at make contact 2|3, switch arm |39@ and the make contact 221 of the phasing relay 224. The relay 2 1 energizes the phasing magnet |34 at its make contact 2|9 and also energizes the half-nut magnet 220 of the transmitter-recorder section |04 of the central office equipment. This steps the transmitterrecorder |04 and also the monitor recorder until the scanning light spot at the machine l passes over the non-reflecting mark 222 (Fig. 2) on the recording blank in position on the recording cylinder |4 at the machine |0. This causes a drop in the signal fed to the phasing amplifier 223, resulting in substantial deenergization of the relay 224, which opens the circuit of the locking coil 226 of the relay 2|6 at the make contact 221. Deenergization of the locking coil 226 of the relay 2|6 opens the circuit of the relay 2|1, resulting in release of the relay 2|'|, starting the shaft to drive the monitor recorder in phase with the machine |0. Operation of the carriage of the machine |04 is incidental. If the exposed portion of the reiiective cylinder is used for the purpose of deriving a framing signal at the machine |0, the phasing relay may be of the high current type provided with a break contact insteadof a make contact. The signal level will be higher when scanning the bright drum than when scanning the less reiiective surface of the message blank.

As the ampliiier |2 of the monitor recorder ll is connected to the line L at this time by the contact arms |390 and ISSd of the rotary switch |33, a portion of the blank will be scanned, thereby checking positively application of the blank to the copyholding cylinder of the selected machine |0 by a record on the web 2|0.

The sixth and seventh positions of the rotary switch |33 are carriage space back and transition steps, respectively. In the sixth position the positive pole of the signaling source is connected to line L| by way of the contact arm ISS'O, and the line L2 is unconnected at this time. In the seventh position positive potential is maintained on the line Ll, and the line L2 is also connected to the positive pole of the source of signaling potential by way of the Contact arm |33a.

Transmission from the central office to the selected machine occurs at the eighth position of the rotary switch |33. The contact arm |39b connects L| to the negative pole of the source of signaling potential, and the contact arm |39a connects the line L2 to the positive pole of the signaling source. The negative potential on line Ll moves the contact tongue |52 of the relay |49 to its contact S', operating the send-receive relay |44. The positive potential on the line L2 which is maintained from the previous step causes the carriage l0 of the selected machine l0 to feed. The stylus magnet I4 is energized at this time from the bus bar A through the arm 54 and contact 51 of the paper control switch, the operating coil of the stylus magnet, a make contact 232 of the relay |44 to the bus bar B. The rotary switch is left in its eighth position until the message on the copyholding drum at the transmitter |04 has been completely scanned, after which the rotary switch is moved through its ninth and tenth positions to position eleven.

The ninth and tenth positions are transition and carriage space back steps, respectively. In the ninth position of the rotary switch a positive potential is applied to lines L| and L2. In the tenth position the line L2 is opened, which permits the carriage 10 of the selected machine to return to its initial position.

The eleventh position of the rotary switch is effective to permit the central station attendant to obtain a record of all of any portion of the subject matter which was recorded on the message blank at the selected machine in the eighth position of the rotary switch. Positive potential is connected to the lines L! and L2 which, in accordance with the previous description, deenergizes the send-receive relay |44 to connect the sending amplifier |42 to the line and also to cause engagement of the half-nut with the lead screw 49 t0 propel the carriage 10. The rotary switch is maintained in this No. 1l position until the record appearing on the monitor recorder satisfles the attendant that the message has been received.

The twelfth position of the rotary switch maintains LI positive and connects line L2 to the nega.- tive pole of the source of signaling potential, which moves the contact arm |53 of the three position relay |5| against its S contact to energize the peel magnet to remove the blank 32 from the drum. The switch arm 54 of the selected machine I0 cornes in contact again with the contact 56, thereby preparing the circuit which places a new blank in position upon the next operation of the relay |44, in accordance with the previous description. This contact also connects the magnet 59 of the chute locking mechanism across the bus bars A and B. However, this circuit is interrupted at this time at the make contact 233 of a relay 234, the operating coil 0I which is connected from the bus bar B to the bus bar A in parallel with the deposit message signal lamp 22h over the conductor 236. The conductor 231 for feeding the lamp 22h is connected to the make contacts 238 of the multicontact switch which are closed only when the push button |9 is operated by a person desiring to operate the machine I0 as a transmitter. The relay 234, therefore, permits the chute 24 to open only when the machine |0 or the machine Ia is operative as a transmitter and the copyholding cylinder |4 does not contain a message sheet. Also, in the twelfth position of the rotary switch |38 its contact arm |39g energizes the coil 2|4 of the relay |25, thereby to stop the copyholding drum of the transmitter-recorder |04 and energize its half-nut to effect a carriage return. The contact arm |39h energizes the relay |62 to eject the copyholding drum from the machine |04 in the manner described in Patent No. 2,262,715 referred to.

The thirteenth position of the rotary switch is similar to the first position. The monitor recorder amplifier |I2 is connected to the communication circuit L, and the selected machine |0 is operated as a transmitter by placing a positive potential on the lines L| and L2. Transmission from the machine |0 need be continued only until a record is obtained of the distinctive mark 209 on the copyholding cylinder.

The central station attendant may now remove the plug |63 from the jack |64 which turns off the selected machine I by deenergizing the stepping magnet coil |1|, permitting the pawl |88 to release the ratchet wheel |89. The magnet |90 is energized at this time through the thermal time delay switch |94, thereby keeping the pawl |92 from engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel at this time. After a short time interval, the thermostatic bar |89 of the switch |94 cools and opens the circuit of the magnet |90 which permits .the pawl |92 to drop in place in readiness for the next operation of the selector.

When the contact arm |14 of the selector is returned to its normal positiony the relay |16 is deenergized, which disconnects the power supply from the amplifiers at the make contact 204 of the relay, thereby stopping the motors and disconnecting the amplifiers. The relay 205 is deenergized, which disconnects the sending amplifier |42 from the lines LI and L2 for the reasons stated above.

The rotary switch |38 at the central oflice is preferably returned to its neutral position when the operator removes the plug |63. However, if the switch is left in the thirteenth position inadvertently, selection is possible, since the positive pole of the signaling source is connected to LI when the Iplug is next inserted to select a machine |0.

If the central office attendant is dissatisfied with the appearance of the record obtained on the strip |36 of the monitor recorder when the rotary switch was in its eleventh position, he

may move the rotary switch to position twelve to remove the unsatisfactory copy and return it to the second position to place a fresh blank on the machine and then re-run the transmitter at the central office. Before doing this, he may, if he so desires, write the Words second transmission or words of similar import onr the original message mounted on the copyholding drum of the transmitter so as to apprise the person removing the received message from the bin l2 at the machine |0 that two of the record sheets to be found there are duplicates. This will avoid any confusion which may result if the first transmission is so poor that it cannot be deciphered and will be a clear indication that the transmission has been repeated.

The steps of the entire process of selecting and transmitting a message to the machine |0 will be accurately recorded on the web |36 of.

the monitor recorder and may be preserved at the central office for accounting and other purposes.

Any one of the machines i0 may be operated as transmitters in a manner similar to that set forth in detail in Patent No. 2,262,715, referred to above. The rotary switch |38 is, therefore, provided with eight steps which are covered by the contact arms |39a to |39h when these contact arms are moved in a clockwise direction from the neutral position.

To use any one of the machines l0 as a transmitter, the patron or other authorized person operates the push button |9 or its equivalent, thereby energizing the operating magnet 24| of the multicontact switch |19. This results in closure of the make contacts 242 which perform the same function as the make contact 204 of the relay |16. The amplifiers of the machine are energized at this time, and the driving and light chopper motors 48 and 12 are started. An alternating current signal ls generated by the optical pickup device 1| which is received by the previously mentioned line amplifier |63 at the centralofflce. The output of this amplifier energizes a relay 243 which in turn energizes a relay 244 by way of a make contact 246. A make contact 241 of the relay 244 lights a supervisory lamp 248 to apprise the central station attendant that a call is to be answered and also connects the positive pole of a signaling source, which may be the signaling source previously mentioned, to line LI.

The positive potential on the line LI moves the contact tongue |52 of the relay |49 to its contact M', thereby illuminating the deposit message lamp 22h over the closed contacts 238 and also locking the switch |19 by energizing the locking magnet |83.

The patron will now insert in the slot 24 a message sheet inscribed with the subject matter to be transmitted, the slot being open at this time by reason of the energization of the relay 234 over the conductor 236. When the message sheet is wrapped on the copyholding cylinder |4, the switch arm 54 interrupts the circuit of the chute locking magnet 59 which was maintained at the contact 56.

The central station attendant, responding to the signal lamp 248, inserts the plug |63 in the jack |64, which disconnects the line amplifier |68 but maintains LI ypositive over the contact arm |3917. The receiving amplifier |01 at the central office is maintained in communication with the line L over the contact arms |39c and |3911 of the rotary switch |38. The attendanty may now move the rotary switch |38 clockwise from the neutral position to its rst position, which is, as regards the polarity of LI, the same as the neutral position. L2 is maintained open. The coil 2|4 of the relay 2|6 is energized by way of the contact arm |39g to prepare the phasing circuits originating at the make Contact 2I8.

In a copyholding drum bearing a record blank is not in position in the central office recorder, the key |6| may be operated to insert a copyholder in the machine. However, one will usually be present if the machine has been previously used as a recorder, and the message drum feeding magazine of the machine is provided with copyholding drums having message blanks.

The attendant will now move the rotary switch |38 to its second position if he has not immediately done soy after inserting the plug |63. In the second position of the rotary switch, line L2 is connected to the positive pole of the signal source, line LI being maintained positive. The contact tongue |53 of the relay |5| moves to its M contact, engaging the half-nut 86 to start the scanning process at the machine I0. The lamp 22e of the message being transmitted sign is illuminated. Also, in this position of the rotary switch, theholding coil 2|4 of the double current relay 2|6 is deenergized so that this relay may respond to the drop in carrier current energy which occurs when the spot of light from the light source in the optical transmitter 1| passes over the black spot on the message sheet in position on the cylinder I4. The stylus |09 is brought in contact with the record blank by a stylus magnet 249 which is energized at this time by Way of the arm 39f of the rotary switch.

Recording is permitted to proceed until the central station attendant observes that the entire subject matter has been recorded by the machine |04, whereupon he moves the rotary switch |38 to its third position, which energizes the relay |62 to remove the copyholder drum bearing the recorded message from the machine |04. The coil 2l4 of the relay 2|6 is energized to stop the scanner of the machine |54, and communication with the machine IU is maintained by maintaining a positive potential on line LI. Its scanner is returned by opening the line L2.

The recording process may be repeated by again moving the switch to the second position if the central station attendant so desires. A fresh copyholder drum |35 will be in position in the machine |04, and the tongue |53 of the relay I5I will again move to its M contact to energize the half-nut magnet 89.

If the central station attendant is satisfied with the quality of the received message, he moves the rotary switch to its fourth position, which applies negative potential to the line L2 to move the contact tongue |53 of the relay |5| to its S contact, which energizes the peel magnet 91. The rotary switch is turned to the eighth position. In passing over the seventh position, the lines LI and L2 are opened, which shuts down the machine I0, and in the eighth position negative potential is applied to the line LI, which lights the lamp 22d of the message accepted sign. The circuit for this may be traced from bus bar A, contact S' of relay |49, a break contact 259 of relay |16, closed contacts 25| of the multicontact switch |19 and the lamp 22d. The plug |63 may be removed from the jack |64 and the rotary switch turned to its neutral position in preparation for the next operation at the central oflice.

If, after repeating the recording process, the cent-ral station attendant is satisiied that a good recording cannot be obtained, or if the message is illegible, he may move the rotary switch to the sixth position, which will apply negative potential to the line LI to move the contact arm |52 of the relay |49 to the contact S', thereby illuminating the signal lamp 22e of the rewrite message sign by way of the contacts 253 of the multicontact switch |19, which is maintained closed by keeping the line L2 positive. The rotary switch is then returned to the deposit message position in readiness to again receive the message or subject matter, which must be reinscribed by the patron upon a fresh message sheet.

Fig. 5 of the drawings illustrates a modification of the transmitter-recorder of this invention provided with means for selectively distributing message sheets removed from the copyholding cylinder. In the illustrative embodiment of Fig. 5, two electromagnetically operated message sheet removing devices are shown for selectively distributing message sheets into one or the other of two compartments. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that a number of angularly spaced message sheet removing devices may be provided, together with a compartment or receptacle associated with each device, and that any desired means for selectively operating these message sheets may be employed.

The machine of Fig. 5 is substantially the same as the machine ID of Fig. l, and therefore like parts are designated by the same reference characters to facilitate identication of these parts. The copyholding cylinder I4 is positioned as before to be fed with blanks 32 or message sheets manually introduced into the chute 26 by way of the slot 24. rfhe switch arm 54 is operated by an arm 252 similar to the arm 52 of Fig. 1 which cooperates with a groove 5I in a copyholding cylinder I4. rThe contacts 56 and 51 are shown as being interchanged in position, since the arm 252 lies above the cylinder I4. The stripping finger I6 is effective upon energization of the magnet 91 to remove a message sheet from the copyholding cylinder so that it is deposited in the bin or compartment I2. Access to message sheets in the compartment I2 is obtained through the closure I8 which, if desired, may be provided with any suitable type of lock.

An additional stripping nger 254 is provided, which is adjustably secured to a rock shaft 256 by a set screw 251. This rock shaft is journaled in anyv suitable manner from the sides of the machine ID and carries the armature 258 of a stripper magnet 259. A return spring 26| maintains the stripper finger out of engagement with the cylinder I4 until the magnet is energized. The magnet 259 may, as shown, be mounted at one side of the machine, and to the rear of the stripper magnet 91 which operates the stripper ringer I6.

A compartment 262 having side walls 263, one of which is shown, and a front wall 264 is provided for receiving message sheets ejected from the copyholding cylinder I4 upon operation of the stripping linger 254. Access to the compartment 262 is obtained through a closure member 266 hinged at 251 to the rear panel of the box which houses the entire machine II). The closure member 265 may also, if desired, be provided with a lock. By selecting locks for the closures I8 and 266 which are opened by different keys, it will be noted that message sheets of any kind removed by the stripper finger I6 will be accessible only to a person provided with a key for the closure I8, and likewise message sheets of any kind removed by the stripper finger 254 will be accessible only to a person provided with a key for the closure 266.

The magnets 51 and 259 may be energized in any desired manner to effect operation of the respective stripper fingers. Fig. 6 discloses a modification of the system of Figs. 3 and 4 for obtaining selective operation of the stripper iingers in a manner to cause distribution of message sheets bearing recorded subject matter to the compartment I2 and message sheets bearing subject matter for transmission into the compartment 262. Only the modied portions of the apparatus and circuits of Figs. 3 and 4 are disclosed by Fig. 6. The switch arms I3Sa and |395 of the multiccntact switch |38, when operated in a, counterclockwise direction, cause operation of a selected machine I0 in the manner previously described. When the Contact arm I39a reaches its twelfth stud, the stripper ringer I6 is operated in the manner previously described. The contact arm I3Sa in Big. l also causes operation of the stripper finger I6 when the rotary switch is operated in a clockwise direction to the fourth stud from the neutral position. In Fig. 6, the fourth contact stud which cooperates with `he contact arm I39a is left blank, thereby to afford an opportunity for operating the stripper finger 254. This is accomplished in the modified system of Fig. 5 by providing a relay 269 which is responsive only to values of current higher than those normally nou/'ing in the line LI for operation of the polar relay |49. The make contact 21| of this relay completes a circuit including the peel magnet 259 from the bus bar A through the contacts 242 of the multicontact switch |19 to the bus bar B. When a higher than normal signal potential is applied to the line LI, the relay 269 will close its contacts and energize the peel magnet 259 to bring the stripper nger 254 into engagement with the copyholding cylinder I4. This higher potential is applied to the contact arm |391) at the fourth contact stud in a clockwise direction from the neutral position. Message sheets bearing subject mattei' for transmission and introduced through the chute 26 are thus removed from the copyholding cylinder' i4 and distributed to the compartment 262.

While the invention has been explained in detail in connection with several illustrative embodiments thereof, it is understood that the invention may ibe embodied in other forms, and therefore the invention is not limited except as indicated by the terms and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Automatic telegraph apparatus comprising a rotatable telegraph message sheet copyholder, means on said copyholder to receive and retain thereon for o-ne or more revolutions a telegraph message sheet, a rst means for guiding and conveying message: sheets to said receiving means on said copyholder, means for automatically providing said conveying means with message sheets, a second means for guiding message sheets to said receiving means on said copyholder, said last named means having provisions for receiving message sheets inserted manually therein and means controlled by the presence of a sheet on said copyholder for preventing the guiding and conveying of a second message sheet to the receiving means on said copyholder from either said rst or second means.

2. Automatic telegraph apparatus comprising a rotatable telegraph message sheet copyholder, means on said copyholder to receive and retain thereon one at a time for a plurality of revolutions telegraph message sheets, means for guiding and conveying message sheets to said receiving means on said copyholder, means for automatically providing said conveying means with message sheets, a second means for guiding message sheets to said copyholder, said last named means having provisions i'or receiving message sheets inserted manually therein, means for preventing operation of said automatic means and the manual inserting of a message sheet in said second guiding means when a message sheet is on.said copyholder, and means for automatically removing message sheets from said copyholder.

3. Automatic telegraph apparatus comprising a rotataible telegraph message sheet copyholder, means on said copyholder to receive and retain thereon for a plurality of revolutions a telegraph message sheet, and a plurality of separate and selective electromagnetically operable means for automatically removing message sheets from said copyholder.

4. Automatic telegraph apparatus comprising a rotatable telegraph message sheet copyholder, means on said copyholder to receive and retain thereon for a plurality of revolutions telegraph message sheets one at a time, a plurality of receptacles to receive message sheets removed from said copyholder, and a plurality of selective electromagnetically operable means to selectively direct message sheets to said receptacles.

5. Automatic telegraph apparatus comprising a rotatable telegraph message sheet copyholder, means on said copyholder to receive and retain thereon for continuous rotation therewith a telegraph message sheet, a plurality of separate and selective electromagnetically operable means for automatically removing message sheets from said copyholder, and a receptacle associated with each of said message sheet removing means to receive message sheets removed from said copyholder.

6. Automatic telegraph apparatus comprising a rotatable telegraph message sheetk copyholder, means on said copyholder to receive and retain for one or more revolutions a telegraph message sheet, a iirst means for guiding message sheets of one kind to said receiving means on said copyholder, a second means for guiding message sheets of another kind to said receiving means on said copyholder, a first means selectively operable for automatically removing message sheets of one kind from said copyholder, and a second means selectively operable for automatically removing message sheets of the other kind from said copyholder.

7. Automatic telegraph apparatus comprising a rotatable telegraph message sheet copyholder, means on said copyholder to receive and retain for one or more revolutions a telegraph message sheet, a rst means for guiding message sheets of one kind to said receiving means on said copyholder, a second means for guiding message sheets of another kind to said receiving means on said copyholder, a rst receptacle, a iirst means selectively operable for automatically removing message sheets from said copyholder and directing said removed sheets into said receptacle, a second receptacle, and a second means selectively operable for automatically removing message sheets from said copyholder and directing said removed sheets into said second receptacle.

8. In a facsimile telegraph machine, a rotatable copyholder, means including said copyholder vfor receiving and retaining for a plurality of revolutions telegraph message sheets one at a time,Y a plurality of separate electromagnetically controlled means for selectively removing said message sheets from said copyholder, a like plurality of receptacles for receiving removed message sheets and means including said separate removing means for selectively directing removed message sheets to selected ones of said receptacles.

9. In a facsimile telegraph machine, a rotatable copyholder, a plurality of separate sources of telegraph message sheets, means including said copyholder for receiving and retaining thereon for continuous rotation therewith telegraph message sheets one at atime from either one of said sources, electromagnetically controlled means for removing said message sheets from said copyholder, a plurality of message sheet receiving receptacles and means for removing and selectively directing message sheets from said copyholder to said receptacles.

10. In a facsimile telegraph machine, a rotatable copyholder, means including said copyholder for receiving and retaining thereon for continuous rotation therewith telegraph message sheets one at a time, a plurality of separate sources of telegraph message sheets, means for selectively presenting to said copyholder` message sheets from said sources, means for removing said message sheets from said copyholder, a plurality of message sheet receiving receptacles, means including said removing means for removing and selectively directing message sheets from said copyholder Ato said receptacles and means for automatically controlling the operation of said rst and last named means whereby message sheets from said sources are deposited in respective receptacles.

RALEIGH J. WISE. 

